So it’s the time that the topic of many conversations is illness. “Did you hear Suzie has the flu? She has never been sicker in her life. ” “I just ran into Joe and he has the worst cold. He hasn’t been well for 3 weeks now and just can’t seem to get better.” Fortunately, there are herbal allies and holistic ways to help us resist and recover from winter nasties.
Remember, stress is the number one cause of illness. We get run down, sleep less, eat food that’s not nutritious, stress about everything and wonder why we are more susceptible to illness. It’s time to take a deep breath and a calm approach. We all know the common sense things to do: wash your hands often, don’t touch your face, stay home if you’re sick, cough into your elbow instead of your hand, take off your shoes when you get home, the list goes on and on. Well, what if you do all those things and you find yourself or a loved one still became ill? Don’t panic! Herbs have been used for thousands of years to promote well being and to encourage your immune system to heal quicker.
These immune boosting powerhouses are particularly helpful this time of year.
Elderberry: used as an immune system booster and to prevent and ease symptoms of colds and flu
Echinacea: used to strengthen the immune system, it’s antimicrobial and reduces the length of colds
Ginger: another powerhouse that’s anti inflammatory, antibiotic and antimicrobial
Goldenseal: an ancient remedy that is antibiotic, anti inflammatory and immune boosting
Wow, that’s a lot of amazingness from little dried pieces of plants, isn’t it? So how can you incorporate them into your daily life? The easiest way is tea!
Herbs are shelf stable and have the bonus of being easy to use. Just boil some water, add a teaspoon of a dried herbal blend to a steeper or teabag, cover with 8 ounces of hot water and infuse for at least 5 minutes. Remove the herbs. You can choose to add honey for even more healing benefits. Let it cool enough to drink and sip throughout the day. Teas are a wonderful place to start, and make sure to keep yourself warm and cozy and get lots of extra rest until you’re feeling better.
You can make your own blend or I offer an Immune Boost Tea that’s ready to go! As always, consult with your doctor first if you’re not feeling well. It’s not the time of year to take chances. If you have any questions, I’m here for you and I’m sending wishes of a healthy and happy winter!
*Note: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. I recommend you consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, taking any medications or if you have a medical condition. If irritation occurs discontinue use.
twig leaf flower is an organic vegan gluten free aromatherapy and herbal tea collection lovingly handmade in Dallas, PA by master herbalist and clinical aromatherapist Rebecca Nicely.
Lavender Essential Oil is my favorite oil. I believe it is the one essential oil that everyone should have handy at all times. It’s an amazing powerhouse that has been used for over 2,500 years.
A few times a week I’m approached with questions about essential oil use and cats. As aromatherapists, we have studied the interaction between humans and essential oils pretty thoroughly, but there is still quite a lot of speculation and controversy regarding efficacy and safe use for cats.
This is one of my favorite times of year! Everything is a beautiful green and new flowers and herbs are popping up each day. As many of you know, lavender is my absolute favorite! My plants are blooming and it’s time to start drying them to use throughout the year. Don’t be intimidated by drying herbs, it’s much easier than you think, and it will add a touch of sunshine even during the dark days of winter. I’m going to walk you through this simple and rewarding process.
Aromatherapists and consumers is obtaining pure, organic essential oils. True essential oils are distilled from plants, which is laborious and often an expensive process. With the popularity of aromatherapy, there are many companies that are bottling essential oils, but are adding synthetics and fillers to the oils to dilute them. Unfortunately, these adulterated oils will not be beneficial for aromatherapeutic use, as the body recognizes the chemical components as toxic and disposes of them. As a long time aromatherapist and herbalist, quality organic oils are paramount to me. I harness the power of the oils for the healing effect they have on the mind, body and spirit, not just for the fragrance they emit. You can rest assured that twig leaf flower’s products are all made with the finest organic essential oils, offering maximum holistic benefits. Please visit 
twigleafflower.wordpress.com 